Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 31 Chapter 31: Eileen's smile was gentle. "Huey is not that petty," she said.

Bryan's look shifted subtly, a raised eyebrow in her direction as he settled back. “It seems you've been around him enough to know his moods. Did sharing a suite withset him off?” he asked.

Just then, Eileen's phone chimed with a message, breaking the moment. Eileen glanced at the screen, keeping her composure.

A message from Vivian popped up. "Eileen, when's your return? I need you to fetch sthings for me." "We're heading back tomorrow," Eileen replied.

Vivian's reply cwith an address, mentioning a precious item that needed to be transported. Vivian added, "Tellthe hotel's address-I'll have my friend deliver it to you. It'll be a hassle for you to go and pick it up without a car." After sending the hotel details to Vivian, Eileen placed her phone down, the conversation visible for Bryan. "Seems the morning flight's off the table," she said.

Bryan caught a glimpse of the messages and nodded. "Looks like we're set for the delivery before our departure." Eileen remained silent, absorbing his words while more queries from Vivian filled her screen. Each one hinted at Bryan's presence in Lakedale.

Eileen brushed them off, citing the confidentiality of her work, and let her thoughts wander. Bryan hadn't left the hotel room all day; his world was confined to the screen of his laptop, with no mention of any cooperation here. Was it possible he was here solely to support her in resigning the contract? Eileen laughed at herself, thinking about the absurdity of the notion. As dusk crept in, the guests' call for dinner reached Eileen. She turned to Bryan, absorbed in his work, and said, "Heading down for dinner. Needto bring something up for you?" Discover fresh chapters galBryan looked up, locking eyes with her, a spark flickering in his gaze. Then, with a playful grin, he drew her close. Seated comfortably in his embrace, she felt the reassuring steadiness of his hold. He gently tilted her face up, and his kiss explored the delicate sweetness on her tongue. She had just had sjuice, the taste lingering in her mouth.

Usually, the sweetness wasn't to Bryan's liking, yet on her lips, it was an exception he willingly made. For a brief moment, he couldn't help but indulge in it. As they parted, the intensity of their breaths filled the space. Her lips, warm and tender from their kiss, formed a playful scowl despite the charming blush on her cheeks.

Eileen excused herself to the sanctuary of the bathroom. The cool water washed away the flush from her cheeks, but the soft swell of her lips remained a telltale sign of their recent closeness. When she returned, Bryan was busy with his laptop again, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness. "Anything you pick is fine by me," he said.

With a brief nod, Eileen stepped out. The third floor of the hotel was buzzing with activity. Huey was already there, commanding a table laden with food alongside his companions. He gestured toward a chair, a welcoming smile on his face.

"Eileen! I ordered sfavorites of yours last time. Hope they're still to your liking," Huey said, making room for Eileen to join.

Eileen took her seat, her gaze sweeping over the familiar dishes spread before her. Just one meal had been enough for Huey to capture her tastes. "This is wonderful. Thanks," she expressed with a smile.

"No need to be so formal with your boyfriend," teased one of Huey's friends. "You'll join us at the match tomorrow, right?" There was a hint of discomfort in Eileen's reply, "Barring any surprises, I'll be there." Huey's chuckle cut through the air. "Apex might, too!" Eileen's surprise was clear as day.

Huey had spun tales of a close bond with Apex to his friends. Afraid that Eileen would expose him, he quickly explained, "It's quite the event, after all." A subtle quirk of her lips betrayed Eileen's thoughts: Was Bryan here for the game? The thought remained unfinished, with Bryan an enigma growing harder to decipher.

Midway through the dinner, Eileen stood up, using the trip to the restroom as a chance to settle the bill and order a hearty meal for Bryan. She returned to the buzz of excitement about tomorrow's competition, absorbing the chatter as an outsider. It was evident to her that the upcoming match held significant weight for Huey. Glancing at her watch, Eileen noted the dwindling tbefore her meeting with Marcus. She stood up to take her leave. "You guys carry on. Good luck with the gtomorrow. I've got a few things to sort out," she announced.

At that, Huey produced a key card from his bag, extending it toward her. "I noticed someone had checked out today, so I got a room for you." Eileen paused, taking the card; Huey's capacity to surprise her was, by now, a familiar sensation. Huey caught the shift in Eileen's demeanor and said, "Keep eating, everyone. I'll escort Eileen." He gently grasped Eileen's hand, guiding her to the elevator, where he promptly let go.

"Thanks," Eileen said, her voice warm with genuine appreciation.

"Eileen, I heard you need a lot of money for your mother's treatment. Is that true?" Huey asked.

Eileen confirmed with a simple nod.

"You know, if money's tight, just say the word. I can lend you some," Huey said, clearly trying to help without overstepping. He didn't suggest that Eileen should do something about Bryan. After all, he didn't have enough money to cover all her mother's medical expenses. But the thought of Eileen struggling while he stood by was clearly unsettling to him. He wanted to do something.

Eileen could tell Huey had a knack for picking up on subtleties beyond his years, perhaps even discerning the complexities of her situation with Bryan.

"I appreciate it, but I'll handle the issue with the money on my own," she assured him.

As Huey opened his mouth, likely with more to add, Eileen continued, "If I'm really in dire need of money in the future, I won't hesitate to reach out to you." Huey breathed a sigh of relief. As the elevator reached their floor, he exited first, a courteous offer on his lips. "I can help you get settled in the new room." Eileen's response cwith a gentle shake of her head. "I can handle it myself. Don't worry." With a nod, Huey stepped back into the elevator, and the doors slid shut.

Key card in hand, Eileen made her way back to the suite. The sound of water running announced Bryan's shower. The dinner delivered by the hotel remained untouched, left on the table.

Eileen scribbled a quick note to Bryan about her meeting with Marcus. She planned to tell him about changing her room upon her return.

The restaurant for her rendezvous with Marcus was a stone's throw from the hotel, oozing opulence. Eileen arrived with tto spare, unexpectedly finding Marcus already at a table set for two in a private room.

Red tablecloths draped the long table, white plates awaiting their meal. A decanter nestled between two glasses, its contents catching the dance of light from the crystal chandeliers above, promising a touch of indulgence. Eileen knew the price of dinner would fall on her, a costly gesture Marcus seemed to insist on. If it would smooth over the transaction, she considered it a small price to pay.

She signaled the waiter, offering the menu to Marcus with a courteous smile. "Order whatever you like, Mr. Ferguson," she said. The air was still charged from their previous encounter, and Marcus' displeasure was evident.

Without hesitation, he selected a parade of lavish dishes and handed the menu back to Eileen. "Can you manage the cost of this meal on your salary?" Marcus inquired, a hint of challenge in his tone.

With confidence, Eileen passed the menu to the waiter. "It's within my means, Mr. Ferguson." The waiter departed, and Eileen didn't waste a moment, steering the conversation to the purpose of their meeting-the contract.

Marcus had prepared two documents: one to cancel the old contract and the other to seal the new deed. They bore the Fulcrum Group's endorsement, awaiting only the Apex Group's financial seal from Eileen.

Eileen's hand barely grazed the documents when Marcus tucked them aside. “Delete the recording," he said. "The recording will be erased once the contracts are in my hands," Eileen assured him, her voice steady with the ease of experience.

Marcus responded with a nod. "Very well, let's enjoy the meal first. The contracts will be yours to take afterward." Eileen, eyeing the opened bottle of red wine, summoned the waiter once more. "Would you mind selecting sless intense wine?" Turning back to Marcus, she added, "This one's a bit much for me. Can I order something else?" Marcus looked at her, an understanding smile on his face. "Absolutely. I'll have a few options brought to us." With a nod, the waiter departed, soon returning with a selection of gentler red wines. Eileen chose one at random, requesting the waiter to transfer it to a fresh decanter.

Aware of their future collaborations, Eileen didn't want to step on any toes. She rose to fill both their glasses with wine, the red liquid dancing in the light.

Raising her glass, she offered a smile. "A toast to our ongoing partnership, Mr. Ferguson." Marcus grasped his glass, his gaze intent on Eileen. "One glass isn't enough. Let's go for three."

With a nod, Eileen conceded. Her tolerance was modest at best, but she felt confident in in handle last! Dability to three glasses of wine. She finished her first glass in a single tilt, then topped it off for another two rounds.

"Good," Marcus remarked, his smile easing the formality between them. "You're a breath of fresh air, Miss a breath of Curtis. As people who are just doing errands for others, it's only right for us to help each other." He took a casual sip, the tension from their previous encounter nowhere in sight.

While Marcus refilled her glass once more, Eileen sipped sparingly, mindful of the need to remain sharp. But as the evening wore on and the wine flowed, light-headedness crept over Eileen, clouding her focus.

A sudden warmth on her hand caused Eileen's eyes to snap open, noticing Marcus' grasp. Discomfort flared within her, and she promptly pulled away. "Mr. Ferguson, I need a moment. Excuse me." Rising from her chair, the room seemed to tilt, a wave of dizziness overwhelming her. She bit down on her tongue, a sharp pain grounding her in an effort to regain her composure.

With resolve, she exited the private room, maintaining an outward calm. The stinging in her mouth eased, and dizziness struck again, nearly sending her crashing against the sink.

It dawned on her with chilling clarity-the wine must have been tampered with. In the wake of this revelation, she didn't even have tto consider the unsigned contract. She washed her face with cold water twice before turning to leave the restaurant. A waiter, witnessing her stagger, hastened to her side.

Here's the revised text: "Miss, are you all right? Do you need help?" Eileen's response was a faint, affirmative murmur. She reached for the waiter's arm, clinging to it like a lifeline, and informed him of the hotel where she was staying.

Just as they left the restaurant, Marcus appeared before them, Eileen's bag in his possession. He smoothly assumed the role of Eileen's caretaker, pulling her to his side away from the waiter.